R.C.N. Solutions: focusing on the evolution of lamination

Date: 13 May 2022

More than a century has passed since Edouard Benedictus, a French chemist, inventor and much more, accidentally broke a glassflask containing a chemical mix that created an internal protective adhesive film. The glassflask obviously shattered but shards of glass stood in shape. Thus, he invented the laminated glass, opening the age of safety glass that with more research and development yielded a myriad of different solutions.

In 2002, after lengthy experience as manufacturer of fusing and bending kilns, RCN SOLUTIONS entered the lamination market. At that time, the company understood the importance of offering something new and significant: the opportunity for small or medium companies to diversify production with a limited investment.

The Lammy System line was the first one produced in a very small size, 3000 by 1800 millimetres. Travelling around the world visiting customers, RCN realized the glaziers liked the new idea of lamination, in particular because the new system was autoclave-free.

At the same time, the use of EVA interlayer draw the attention, though limited, to support all those jobs that could not be processed with PVB, since EVA was making the lamination more flexible and could be used to laminate other materials in between the glass such as PET, metal, paper and so on. It took several years before EVA was finally considered a valid laminating interlayer specified in some projects.

Therefore the demand for laminating machines started growing faster and other different sizes have been manufactured. There is one, unique RCN machine that revolutionized the concept of lamination: Powerlam, the fist bag-free turn-around system.

Introduced during the 2008 Glasstec exhibition, this machine provided fast lamination, significantly reducing production timing and labor. One operator can easily handle the entire job from glass entrance to the exit. For the first time since the introduction of the lamination with EVA, a new concept was making its way to facilitate a job that was becoming more and more professional and crucial for the most part of the glaziers.

Powerlam needs feeding everyday and possibly work on shifts because the system is based on the idea of mass production to be eventually maximized by continuous run of alike glass layout. In about 30 minutes, the machine issues one run and makes the following one to enter the chamber for lamination.

With over 50 machines installed around the world, Powerlam is still the most demanded laminating machine and RCN is proud of this innovation.